Forceps: consist of two tines held together at one end with a spring device that holds the tines open. Forceps can be either tissue or dressing forceps.
Dressing forceps have smooth or smoothly serrated tips.
Tissue forceps have teeth to grip tissue. Many forceps bear the name of the originator of the design, such as Adson tissue forceps.
Rat Tooth: A Tissue Forceps
Interdigitating teeth hold tissue without slipping.
Used to hold skin/dense tissue.
Adson Tissue Forceps
Small serrated teeth on edge of tips.
The Adsons tissue forceps has delicate serrated tips designed for light, careful handling of tissue.
Intestinal Tissue Forceps: Hinged (locking) forceps used for grasping and holding tissue.
Allis: An Intestinal Tissue Forceps
Interdigitating short teeth to grasp and hold bowel or tissue.
Slightly traumatic, use to hold intestine, fascia and skin.
Babcock: An Intestinal Tissue Forceps
More delicate that Allis, less directly traumatic.
Broad, flared ends with smooth tips.
Used to atraumatically hold viscera (bowel and bladder).
Sponge Forceps
Sponge forceps can be straight or curved.
Sponge forceps can have smooth or serrated jaws.
Used to atraumatically hold viscera (bowel and bladder).
Interdigitating teeth hold tissue without slipping.
